Halo

Halo had thought about what Malia said all the way back to the palace. The things she accused Vaea of were terrible, things his father would never allow if he was around. What he didn't know was if it was true or not.

She spoke with her heart. He could see the pleading in her eyes. Who in their right mind would commit arson to a King's building if not to send a message?  Talking to her so earnestly had filled Halo with a sadness he couldn't comprehend.

This was the second time Vaea was accused of doing unjust things. Halo just knew that when he got home and questioned his younger brother about it, Vaea would have intricate stories that would change the entire narrative until he forgot what he even asked.

He just didn't want to believe it. The Vaea he knew would never punish people so callously. Vaea knew how much the people meant to their father, and even if he and the old King didn't have the best relationship, he'd still want to honour his father's wishes.

So then why were his actions so out of character?

Halo mentally prepared the courage to confront his brother yet again. He couldn't forget what he'd been told at the Hira residence, by both women. Vaea said they both had peculiar grudges against him, but Halo picked up desperation instead.

Desperation to be heard. Understood. What he saw wasn't malice or disapproval. It was frustration from injustice.

When Halo arrived at the palace, he nearly forgot he had to take Finn to the beach. He decided he'd do that first, not wanting to face Vaea just yet. Vaea had the sharp tongue and brashness of his mother. It took extensive mental preparation to deal with them.

Halo knocked on the outside of Finn's door, waiting a few minutes. When there was no answer, Halo pushed open the door, finding Finn's room bare and empty. It was like no one had ever slept inside. Not even his scent was left behind.

What the?

"Hello?" Halo called, summoning one of the female servants who was wiping a painting down the carpeted hall. She immediately came running. "Do you know where our guest is?"

"Oh, your majesty has said that he left, your highness," the servant said. Halo's face fell.

"What?" He left? "Where did he go?"

"I am not sure, your highness," the girl frowned in confusion. "I dropped off his clothes in the morning so I am confused to when he left."

No. This wasn't right. He felt it in his bones. Halo stormed past the servant and immediately made his way to the throne room.

Finn? Leaving without any declaration or formal notice? A cold day in Hell was more likely. Even if he was rather mysterious, Halo was certain he would never leave without saying goodbye.

Was this because I did not invite him to go to the farmhouse? Did he feel rejected? Did I ruin everything?

Halo's thoughts were drowned out when he opened the doors to the throne room and heard the clashing of metal. There he saw the King sparring with Augus, both of them pausing the swiping of their rapiers when they saw him enter.

"Oh, Prince! How lovely of you to join us," Vaea said with a lopsided grin. "Did Leilani appreciate the flowers?"

"Where is Finn, your majesty?" Halo bluntly asked, slightly breathless. He was terrified for the answer.

Vaea made an 'ah' sound, as if he remembered an afterthought. "Ah yes, your little friend with long fingers. He left for the docks. The Royal Guard said he was on his way there."

"I-I don't understand," Halo spluttered, rubbing his forehead frustratedly. "Why would he leave? Did you say anything to him? We were supposed to go to the beach."

"He stole a few things from our room, so I have a feeling to why he ran," Vaea said, rolling his eyes. "Oh, dear brother. You're always trusting the wrong people. You should have seen this coming."

"He stole? Finn would never steal!"

Vaea turned to Augus, mockingly gesturing to Halo. "Look at how naive he is? I told you I always have to babysit him."

Halo felt his frustration turning to rage. He knew Vaea was lying now. This was no coincidence anymore.

"What did he steal?" He asked Vaea irritably.

"Jewelry," Vaea said with a snort. "I don't know why you're so angry. Don't take it out on me, I'm not the one who invited a foreign commoner into our palace."

This was his doing, Vaea had always chased his friends away growing up. He'd always say something that made them never talk to Halo ever again. At first he thought it was out of insecurity because he could never make his own friends... but this was just pure spite.

"I know Finn," Halo started, clenching his fists at his sides. "We have sailed half the world together. He has saved my life from pirates. He wouldn't just leave like this, there is something you aren't telling me."

Vaea rolled his eyes. "There he goes accusing me again, Goddess forbid you admit you were wrong about someone."

I was wrong about you, Halo thought but didn't say. "You cannot be so small-minded brother. Are you really that naive? You are a Prince last I checked. Just because you shared a ship with a man does not mean you know his heart. You gave him a room in a palace surrounded by wealth he had never seen in his life, and you expected to not be betrayed? Pathetic."

Halo shook his head stubbornly. "Finn is nothing like that! He doesn't care about money. He didn't even care when he found out I was a Prince!"

"That's what you thought!" Vaea laughed humorlessly. "He used you and you fell for it. When will you learn that I'm the only one you can depend on? There is no such thing as a friend in this world of ours."

Halo didn't want to believe that. He refused to live so miserably.

"How much do you know about him, your highness?" Augus asked cautiously. "I am not insinuating that he is guilty, but the King is making valid points."

Halo groaned aloud. Augus was really turning on him as well. This was disastrous.

"That's a good question, Augus," Vaea said and twirled his sword around his hand. "How well do you know that commoner? Where is he from?"

"Up north," Halo answered begrudgingly.

"What is the name of his country?"

"I don't know. But it has a temperate climate."

"I didn't ask for geography facts, Halo. What does his family do?"

"He comes from a family of fishermen and sailors. He has little sisters and a dog named Whiskey!" Halo burst out in frustration. "His father is also a drunk. I know exactly who I've spent three years with and he would never do this!"

The room fell silent and Vaea was staring at him with his classic condescending, scrutinizing gaze. Halo was completely fed up with it.

"Are you done with your tantrum now?" He asked as if this was all petty. "Whether you know that commoner's dogs name is matters not. The truth is that he stole from you. He's on a ship right now and forgot all about you. Move on."

Finn was his best friend. The first one he had in a long time. It was refreshing to know that Finn didn't care about any of his royal obligations or any palace politics. He didn't care of Halo's princeship and instead treated him the same way he always did.

And Vaea had taken that away. He knew it in his gut, but had no proof at all.

"He pretended to not care that you were royalty," Vaea continued after Halo fell quiet. "All he did was make you comfortable enough so that he could steal from you. I'm sorry, dear brother, but the truth often hurts."

"I suppose he decided his time at the palace was Finn-ished off."

Halo narrowed his eyes while Vaea tried not to laugh. "That's not funny."

Vaea wore a mocking grin. "Oh come on! It's not my fault he vanished into Finn air!"

In the end it was only Vaea laughing. Augus looked uncomfortable and Halo just wanted to disappear.

Halo nodded tightly, clamping his lips into a line. "I'll just leave," he muttered and turned away.

"Wait, your highness!" Augus called and raised his rapier. "Would you like to spar? Perhaps it will take your mind off of this incident."

"No thank you, Augus," Halo forced a smile. "I'll be in my room. Excuse me."

"Don't spend all day sulking," Vaea remarked before he left the room. "You're a Prince. Don't let a commoner define your mood."

Halo said nothing and left the throne room, stomping down the halls of the palace. His boots echoed in the air as they clicked on the marble tiles, his footsteps getting faster as he approached the doors and made his way to the barracks.

Did Vaea really expect him to believe that? He could have lied about anyone else, maybe then Halo wouldn't have questioned it. But Finn O' Callaghan was no one ordinary. No one Vaea could implicate.

It was almost insulting how betrayed Halo felt. His own brother truly thought he was that gullible. And he was, even now he didn't want to believe all the things people were saying were true.

"I warn you, your highness, the King has changed. Tread lightly."

Halo didn't know what to think anymore. Even if Finn was kicked out, that meant he was stranded somewhere with no money. After all, Halo said he'd take care of him while he was in Kukoa.

I messed everything up.

The guards stood alert as he neared, immediately kneeling on one knee to show respect. Halo acknowledged them with a head nod, suddenly getting approached by a burly man with frizzy copper hair. It was nearly the same shade as Finn's.

"Your highness! What an honour to have you visit us!" the man said. "Is there anything I can do for you? I am Captain Aldous Jared at your service."

Halo stared at the man, seeing his eagerness. He didn't need someone with that much authority. "Brilliant. Can you bring me one of your newest recruits? I have an assignment for them."

"I can be of service to you, your highness," he insisted forwardly. "Anything you need and I am here."

Halo was tired of people never listening to him. "Then bring me your newest recruit, as I asked of you," he deadpanned.

Captain Jared faltered before nodding and running off. Soon after, a mere teenager came kneeling before Halo, his guard uniform two sizes too large. He had chin-length blue locks and big sapphire eyes that screamed inexperienced. Perfect.

"What's your name and age, boy?" Halo asked.

"U-Uh my name is Alan, your highness. I'm seventeen."

Halo smiled. "And already in the Royal Guard? You're quite accomplished."

"T-Thank you, your highness."

Halo noticed Captain Jared wasn't going away, instead he loomed over Alan like a hawk. "You are dismissed," Halo told him.

Captain Jared grimaced. "Prince- this boy is a screw up. Don't send him on any assignments, he has a lot to learn-"

"I dismissed you, Captain Jared," Halo raised his voice slightly, making Captain Jared immediately apologize and wander away. He still kept nearby, which annoyed Halo.

"Alan, get up and come with me," he said, leading the way. Alan scampered after him till they reached a bend in the palace grounds.

"I have a task for you," Halo said when they were finally alone. "From now on, you report to me only. You will not disclose anything I ask of you to your Captain or the Marshall, nor the King. Understood?"

Alan's eyes went wide. "Uh, yes your highness."

Halo smiled. Alan had a Sai birthmark in his neck that was visible, shaped like semi-circle with a line cut through.

"I need you to go to the docks for me. Find out of any ships that left the harbour today. Then ask for the name Finn O' Callaghan and if it was on any of the passenger lists. Is that simple enough?"

Alan nodded and saluted. "Understood, your highness."

"Remember, not a word of this to anyone."

Halo held out his finger and Alan pinky-swore. "What do I say if one of my Captains ask me what I am doing, your highess?" He asked worriedly.

"You tell them to come talk to me. I'll set them straight, but do not under any circumstances come back without any news. Understood?"

Alan saluted again, then hurried off towards the gate. Halo hoped he was doing the smart thing. He couldn't trust anyone else with this other than someone who didn't know the ropes at all.

Halo loved Augus, but he was loyal to the King foremost. No matter what, he would stand by the ruler. Captain Jared was simply hungry for a promotion and would immediately tell Vaea if he sensed he could benefit by disclosing information.

He would never be naive again.